“There is no magic except the magic we create for ourselves.”

“We trust in the power of play, trust in spontaneous choices and encourage children to become competent players.” (Emergent curriculum)

The Kigala teaching team provides a rich learning environment with open-ended materials, tools, questions, and an aesthetic indoor and outdoor classroom, which invites our students to action.

The Kigala curriculum is presented in a playful way, to encourage the child to develop an interest and appreciation for language and culture in their preschool world, and beyond.

Our students enjoy a mixed-age indoor and outdoor classroom environment. The main focus is on the age appropriate development for all children enrolled in our program are in addition to the language component.

We currently offer Spanish, German and International (English) language groups. The language learning opportunity for each child is based on the age, prior language knowledge and language exposure at the school and at home. Students have many opportunities to rotate throughout the day by language, age and/or interest to best support their development, needs and curiosity. During our community time our community language is English, with some exposure to the Spanish/German language. Exposure to Kigala’s three main languages (Spanish, German and English) encourages our students to become citizens of the world in a globally rich indoor and outdoor classroom environment.

Introduce a world of language

Learning and Exploration

Individual confident thinkers

Building self-confidence and independence

PRESCHOOL Language Groups

SPANISH | GERMAN | INTERNATIONAL (English)

Ages 3-6*

SPANISH | GERMANIMMERSION GROUPS
In a Kigala Immersion Group, children are exposed to the Spanish/German language and also have the opportunity to enrich their English language skills. Teachers speak both English (the community language), and Spanish/German, to progressively introduce or improve the language. The outcome of the IMMERSION experience depends greatly on the frequent and consistent language exposure of each student as individuals, and in a group setting. Therefore, either prior Spanish/German language knowledge, or a minimum enrollment of five (5) mornings, is required to participate in these groups, to ensure rich language exposure and development.

SPANISH | GERMAN LEARNING GROUPS
In a Kigala Learning Group, children will have some exposure to the Spanish/German language and interaction with the immersion groups. Teachers speak both English (the community language), and Spanish/German, to progressively introduce or improve the new language. The outcome of the LEARNING experience depends greatly on the frequent and consistent language exposure of each student as individuals, and in a group setting. Therefore, either some prior Spanish/German language knowledge or exposure, or a minimum enrollment of three (3) mornings is required to participate in these groups, to ensure adequate language exposure and development.

INTERNATIONAL LEARNING GROUPS
The International curriculum covers practical applications to introduce a world of language and culturally based activities, introduced in the group’s community language, English. There will be some exposure to the Spanish/German languages and interaction with the immersion groups during community time, as children from all groups gather during community time and special activities. Students need no prior language knowledge or exposure to participate in these groups.

All language and age groups have opportunities for community time in the indoor and outdoor classroom. Our community language is English, and all children will have some exposure to the Spanish and German language.

* Preschool Children must be 3 years old by August 15th and potty trained. We will work with families whose children are on the way to potty training.

TODDLER Groups

SPANISH | GERMAN | INTERNATIONAL (English)

Ages 2-3*

In a Kigala International Toddler Group, the main focus is on the age appropriate development of the child, staged in a fun, engaging environment. Toddlers are offered flexibility and freedom of movement with activities such as music, sensory and art experiences, stories and dramatic play. Toddlers have the opportunity to enrich their English language skills (the group’s community language), while gaining exposure to the Spanish/German language.

The curriculum is presented in a playful way so toddlers can develop an appreciation for language, with focus on practical applications, relative to their world. No prior language knowledge is necessary to participate in the toddler groups. The level of language curriculum is assessed, with consideration to enrollment, home language spoken and additional Spanish/German exposure. For toddler enrollment with language component, teachers speak both English (the community language), and Spanish/German, to progressively introduce or improve the language.

Our students enjoy a mixed-age classroom environment with opportunities to rotate by
age, language or interest.

Students stay with their peers in the toddler group until the end of the school year. At which time, children and parents who are ready to make the transition into the preschool program, will be offered the guidance and support of our caring staff.

* Toddlers must be 2 years old to be enrolled, with no potty training required. Teachers will work with families based on the readiness of each child.

A DAY @ KIGALA – Language is a Gateway…

Already thriving in an environment of language, Kigala students grow when they explore our indoor and outdoor learning opportunities, which further expand their development, imagination and interests.

We exercise a good balance between structured projects, free play and exploration, with activities such as circle time, music, art and science projects, cultural stories, play time (role play) and free form outside play, to name a few of our students’ favorite programs.

Atelier Workshop: Kigala kids can experience an abundance of materials and media, with measured guidance and freedom, to expand their imaginations and nurture the love to create (and the art of creation). Our studio is helmed by our resident Atelierista, Jessy who can often be found elbow deep in an emerging project with our students.

Outdoor Classroom: Kigala is dedicated to providing a rich and healthy outdoor environment for our children to learn and explore in a playful way. Our outdoor classroom provides a growing abundance of natural tree shade, greenery and adjustable shade umbrellas to keep our Kigala kids cooler. Our playground equipment was designed with their best development in mind, lures the children center stage into the woodchips, with surrounding adventure areas that include the Mud Pit, Sand Pit, Garden Nursery, Nature Area, Auto Bahn (a path surrounds playground to create track for pedaling, walking or running etc.). Kigala is in the review process of becoming an outdoor classroom recognized site. Our director and some of our teaching staff have received special outdoor classroom training certification.

Additional Learning and Exploration in the Indoor and Outdoor Classroom

Music: A fun and creative introduction to a variety of songs, instruments and rhythms from many cultures, countries and music styles.

Dance/Movement: Variety of dance and movement forms.

Focus: Readiness Program for Kindergarten in a playful environment.

Gardening, Science Projects, Water Games etc…and lots of FREE PLAY!!

KIGALA PROGRAM – Hours & Schedule

Morning Program:

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
8:15 AM – 12:15 PM
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Spanish groups
International groups
German groups

Full Day Program:

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
8:15 AM – 4:00 PM
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Spanish groups
International groups
German groups

Afternoon Program:

1:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Afternoon activities in English (community language). All groups will have the opportunity to have fun together with a variety of special activities (min. 6 kids).

Extended Program:

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

All language groups will have the opportunity to have fun together in the afternoons. The community language is English with some exposure to Spanish and German (min. 8 children).

All language groups will have the opportunity to have fun together in the afternoons.

The community language is English with some exposure to Spanish and German.

Tuition Contract

Our program is based on an annual contract.

The annual tuition for the 2015-2016 school year includes the regular program from August 20, 2015 through June 7, 2016, and an additional 4 weeks within the duration of Summer Camp, with the same enrollment days as in the regular program. Additional weeks/days during the school year and the summer camp can be requested for an additional fee, depending on availability.